Screening Saves Lives continued
ore than 145,000 Americans are
M diagnosed with colon cancer each year . Scott & White has comprehensive resources to help people take charge of their health , including necessary screening exams . Services are available at the main clinic in Temple , Round Rock , College Station and also at the Fishpond Clinic in Waco .
A screening exam looks for precancerous tissue or growths so that doctors can intervene before they become cancer or help diagnose cancers in earlier stages before symptoms develop . The screening test for colorectal cancer is not one that a lot of us want to talk or think about , but the simple truth is that a colonoscopy saves lives . “ We could prevent the vast majority of colon cancers in this country if everyone adhered to screening guidelines and follow-up recommendations ,” says Andrejs Avots- Avotins , MD , a gastroenterologist in the Department of Internal Medicine , and chairman of the Scott & White board of directors . With early detection , the fiveyear survival rate is 95 percent .
But if the cancer is allowed to grow undetected and reaches advanced stages , the survival rate can drop to only 20 percent . That ’ s why Dr . Avots-Avotins and the colorectal cancer team are so vocal about screening . While the cause of colon cancer is unknown , certain risk factors are identifiable . ( See page 23 .)
At age 50 , get screened Most cases of colon cancer are diagnosed after age 50 . People with family history of colon cancer or colon polyps — including parents , siblings or children — should be screened , even if they ’ re younger than age 50 .
All men and women should be screened for colon cancer at age 50 — even if they feel fine — because colon cancer often doesn ’ t produce symptoms . By the time someone encounters potential warning signs of abdominal pain , iron deficiency anemia or blood in the stool , the cancer could be far advanced . “ The beauty of screening is that if we find polyps , we can remove them right away , preventing colon cancer ,” says Dr . Avots-
“ We could prevent the vast majority of colon cancers in this country if everyone adhered to screening guidelines and follow-up recommendations .”
— Andrejs Avots-Avotins , MD
22 THE CATALYST Spring 10 | sw . org